Whiplash Management Gets Education Boost, Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 29 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new online learning activity designed to support general practitioners and other members of the practice team in managing whiplash associated disorders.

The activity was developed in conjunction with the University of Sydney with an educational grant from the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales and is now available through the RACGP's online education portal gplearning at http://www.gplearning.com.au and Category 2 QA&CPD points apply.

"General practitioners often see and manage whiplash patients and we are also often asked to provide insurance and other medicolegal reports on patient outcomes," said Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President, and GP in Northern NSW.

"This new education module provides an interactive and practical approach to accurately classifying whiplash associated disorders and prescribing the current recommended treatments for acute whiplash associated disorders in general practice. As it is available online, GPs can complete this learning activity anywhere at any time," said Dr Mitchell.

According to Carmel Donnelly, Acting General Manager of the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales, whiplash associated disorders are the single most frequently recorded injury among people injured in motor vehicle accidents who claim compensation in NSW. It is involved in 45 percent of all claims and accounts for approximately 27 percent of total costs to the scheme.

At the end of this module participants should be able to:

- Accurately classify Whiplash Associated Disorders
- Identify the circumstances under which cervical spine X-ray should be requested
- Identify those whiplash associated disorders patients with potentially poor prognosis - Prescribe the current recommended treatments for acute whiplash associated disorders.

The new activity, which is free for RACGP members, consists of a pre and post evaluation.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia's general practitioners. Visit http://www.racgp.org.au

Source
Melanie Fontolliet
Media/Communications Strategist
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
College House I 1 Palmerston Crescent I South Melbourne, VIC 3205
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners